GREECE - Factors to Watch on June 16

ATHENS, June 16 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events which may affect Greek financial markets on Tuesday:

PPC TO HIRE 4,600 WORKERS IN 2009, 2010

Public Power Corp. (PPC) (DEHr.AT), Greece's biggest electricity producer, is to hire 4,600 new workers after its labour union threatened with strikes if no new hirings were made.[ID:nLG556094]

FORTHNET SAYS RECEIVED BIDS FOR CONTROLLING STAKE

Forthnet (FORr.AT), Greece's second-largest internet provider, said the non-binding bids it has received from private equity funds are for a controlling stake of up to 100 percent of its share capital, financial daily Imerisia wrote.

GREECE WANTS TO SPEED UP GAS FIRM DEPA STAKE SALE

Greece's Finance and Development Ministries have asked the government's advisers to submit their final proposals on the planned sale of a stake in natural gas monopoly DEPA by end of August, financial daily Naftemporiki reported.

www.naftemporiki.gr

HYGEIA PLANS TO EXPAND DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS NETWORK

Health group Hygeia (HYGr.AT) is planning to further expand its network of diagnostic centers and is looking for more cooperation agreements with insurance companies, financial daily Imerisia reported, citing unnamed sources.

www.imerisia.gr

EUROPEAN SHARES SEEN OPENING LITTLE CHANGED